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"Each year we recognize four firms for truly exceptional work and contributions to the industry, and this year’s winners have once again raised the bar"

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schwab Advisor Services today announced the recipients of the 13th
annual IMPACT Awards® for independent investment advisor
firms. The IMPACT Awards recognize firms that have advanced the industry
and demonstrated excellence through their leadership and business
practices. The winning firms are: JMG Financial Group, Rebalance,
LLC, The Colony Group, and Fiduciary Investment Advisors,
LLC.Eachfirmwas recognized today on the
mainstage at Schwab IMPACT®, the largest and longest-running
annual gathering of independent advisors in the nation.

“Each year we recognize four firms for truly exceptional work and
contributions to the industry, and this year’s winners have once again
raised the bar,” said Jonathan Beatty, senior vice president,
sales and relationship management, Schwab Advisor Services. “These firms
rise to the top for their innovative approaches, dedication to
excellence, and entrepreneurialism. Their achievements elevate the
entire industry.”

Schwab honors each of the four firms by donating $15,000 to a charity of
their choice. Since the debut of the IMPACT Awards in 2006, Schwab has
donated over half a million dollars on behalf of the winning firms.

Awarded to a firm that has been in business for at least 10 years,
has a track record of growth and excellence, and uses technology
solutions to help expand market reach, responsiveness, and operational
efficiencies – as well as safeguard client assets and information.

Founded in 1984 and established as an independent registered investment
advisor in 1996, JMG Financial Group is an Illinois-based wealth manager
that provides comprehensive planning advice and asset management
services to clients in over 40 states. The firm’s assets under
management (AUM) have grown nearly 70 percent over the past five years
to approximately $3 billion, driven by the addition of over 200
new-to-firm households, of which 95 percent came from existing client
referrals and corporate programs.

Supported by a proprietary customer relationship management (CRM)
system, JMG provides customized, comprehensive, and client-focused
services. The firm maintains a client retention rate of more than 10
years, on average, and average employee tenure of nearly 15 years.

Factors that drive JMG’s success include:

A methodical and deliberate approach to acquisitions that prioritizes
workplace culture and common goals.

A focus on training and mentorship for next generation advisors that
includes coaching, rotations across business departments, and a policy
by which senior partners transition new business to non-partner
advisors to help them build their client base.

Technology integrations within the firm to transfer data efficiently
and accurately from different systems.

Schwab will make a donation to Almost Home Kids and Gigi’s Playhouse on
behalf of JMG Financial Group.

Pays tribute to a firm in business 10 years or less that has shown
initiative, growth and promise, as well as a focused use of technology
to extend its reach, responsiveness, and growth.

Launched in 2013, Rebalance, LLC, has consistently worked to help
Americans live well and retire with more. Rebalance brings investment
expertise and financial advice to investors at a lower price point by
using technology and best-in-class portfolio management. The firm’s AUM
has increased over 140 percent in the last three years to over $640
million.

Rebalance has distinguished itself in its commitment to address the
changing needs of clients, exemplified by a focus on advocacy,
education, and consumer protection.

Recognizes a firm that is forging new ground in the independent
advice space by combining entrepreneurial spirit with a drive to advance
the industry’s interests.

Since its founding in 1986, The Colony Group has grown to a team of over
140 professionals serving clients across 10 offices that oversee over $8
billion in AUM. The firm’s vision is to be the leading advisory firm
nationally for clients and employees who seek meaning and joy in their
lives. The firm’s five-part strategic plan consists of innovating
services, optimizing platforms, elevating people, accelerating growth,
and pursuing targeted inorganic growth.

The Colony Group has continually demonstrated its commitment to
developing innovative ways to serve its clients and advance the advisor
industry. The firm invests in technology to benefit all independent
advisor firms, successfully serves unique market segments in innovative
ways, and attracts and develops talent to fill the industry’s talent
gap. The Colony Group’s initiatives to advance the industry include:

Advancing digital transformation as a founding member of ScratchWorks,
a FinTech accelerator for the wealth management industry.

The firm’s Her Wealth® initiative provides women with the
resources and confidence necessary to take control of their money. The
initiative includes a scholarship program that promotes the next
generation of women financial planning professionals.

Cultivating a culture of inclusion and opportunity by offering a clear
path to equity sharing, not just for a small group of senior advisors,
but for those employees who excel at what they do and make meaningful
contributions to their clients and the firm.

The firm’s leadership actively works to increase awareness of the
independent model through community and industry association
involvement, writing, and conference appearances.

Schwab will make a donation to Colony Cares on behalf of The Colony
Group.

The Best-in-Retirement Business Award honors an independent record
keeper or advisor that focuses on retirement plans, understands the
unique needs of plan sponsors and/or participants, and has developed an
innovative approach to serving them.

Fiduciary Investment Advisors (FIA), based in Windsor, Connecticut, has
taken a client-first approach to serving employee benefit plan
participants for over two decades. The firm currently oversees more than
$60 billion in retirement plan assets. FIA helps clients achieve their
goals by providing best-in-class investment advice and fiduciary
guidance. The firm has developed innovative services to meet the needs
of plan participants, including:

Assisting plan sponsors in leveraging technology and implementing
automatic features like auto-enrollment and auto-escalation to
increase plan participation and savings rates.

Conducting re-enrollment campaigns that improve the contribution rates
of employees and enrolls them in automatic increase features, often
achieving opt out rates in the single digits.

Using a quarterly Fiduciary Governance Calendar that ensures a
consistent service model across the practice and addresses specific
plan-related focus areas.

Schwab will make a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and YMCA of
Greater Hartford on behalf of Fiduciary Investment Advisors.

About the IMPACT Awards

Independent investment advisors have fundamentally changed the financial
services landscape by providing client-centric, independent advice to
investors. Established in 2006 by Charles Schwab, the IMPACT Awards
honor firms that have advanced the industry and have achieved success
through exemplary business practices.

Winning firms were selected by a panel of distinguished financial
services leaders. Schwab donates $1,000 to nonprofit organizations
selected by each of the judges in appreciation of their efforts.

In addition to the IMPACT Awards, Schwab engages in a range of efforts
to advance the independent advisory industry. Initiatives include
supporting nonprofit organizations and universities as well as
amplifying the voice of independent advisors in Washington, D.C., on
regulatory and public affairs issues. Schwab also maintains Find
Your Independent Advisor, a national TV, print, and digital
advertising campaign that aims to increase awareness of the independent
advisory model among high-net-worth investors.

Follow @Schwab4RIAs and #SchwabIMPACT on Twitter for news and updates
from Schwab IMPACT® 2018.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help
individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging
the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit
investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing
our clients’ goals with passion and integrity. More information is
available at www.aboutschwab.com.
Follow us on Twitter,
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YouTube
and LinkedIn.

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or
employees of Schwab, unless otherwise noted. This should not be
construed as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship by Schwab.
The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for
informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are not guarantee of
future performance or success and may not be representative of your
experience.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and
includes the custody, trading, and support of Schwab. Independent
investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by
Schwab.